Preference for bad news

[Bucky]

Hi.

Was looking thru some papers today and came across a article that addressed how you hear of bad news.  Seems with modern technology that the communicating of bad/sad news has lost the personal touch to reach out to someone "in person".  I for one, would not like to "read" about it. 

What's your vote?

Bucky

[Scottietottie]

Hi

Most bad news I've had, has been broken to me over the phone. In person would have been better but wasn't possible. I had to break bad news to somebody recently - and I'm afraid it was via a phone call. I made sure I actually spoke to them though. Tried several times before I got them rather than their voice mail.

Take care - Scottie

[dbab]

I would prefer in person.  It's hard though because if I know there is bad news I would want to know about it immediately even if it has to be a phone call.  I hate the words "I have to tell you something but I will tell you later" when you know its not good because you can hear it in their voice, the wait is horrific.

[eyeamdry]

I voted over the phone because I'm thinking medical bad news as when I had my cancer diagnosis.  My doc was prompt and called me before she said she would.  I would not have been happy waiting for an appointment to be set up to hear the news.  Just......lets get it over.  I don't think it's physically possible for people to cover all the possibilities in person. 

Lucy

[Dolly Dimples]

   I vote with Lucy on this.. I'd rather be in my own home so that when I receive bad news,If I  break down and cry, at least there is no one there to feel any

embarrassment or discomfort...
I have had bad news more than once over the phone and this is what has happened, and I handle it better this way...

    I'd sooner not have any bad news at all whatever way tho'.. cheers Dolly

             

[Epson]

Bad news is bad news, no matter how you receive it.

[wednesday mc haggis]

this is a really hard one and personal to each person id say.

In my many years nursing in elderly/terminal care...ive had the unfortunate job of telling ppl their loved one has passed away, which beleive me never got easier in the many years.

  What i have foundwas i was trained to not tell ppl over the phone if possible, to ask them to come to the ward, saying their condition had deteriorated badly ,  when i have phoned to say this, most ppl ask straight out, has she/he  passed away nurse?? at that point i then tell then the whole story.

  What ive found is many ppl wanted to know there and then, cry, be emotional with family, get themselves as together as is possible at that time , then come to the ward, theyre assured there is no great rush and to take some time to let it all sink in slightly.

  other ppl dont ask, on arriving at the ward, i then lead them into relatives room, and sit them down to break the news that their loved one is no longer with us , and then they breakdown.

over the years i have asked the relatives themselves, so i can deliver the care they need in the most appropriate way and ask them, self auditing if you will, what way they would have found best, about 80% say theyd rather be told on phone, instead of the to them embarrasment of crying loudly on a ward.

Though there are the other 20% who wouldnt have wanted to be told that way, its a fine line at times, one you just have to gauge from expereince and wing it really.

though ive done courses on bereavement councilling, breaking bad news etc over the phone, there never seems to be a uniform answer to this, i truly wish there was,.

personally id rather know sooner than later, though i agree a phone call isnt great, in many ways you are in your own surroundings, a place your familiar with and can react in your own way, not be concerned with the etiquette of a doctors surgery/other persons home/ or a ward etc

T x